#aletaa

[the-and-sign-anon]

First Meeting

Pairing: Jammer x Aletaa

Word count: 1,362

Masterlist

Everyone who ever met Commander Jammer of the 357th thought of him as a no nonsense leader who could never be intimidated. His brothers all loved him dearly, but most of them had never seen him smile or act friendly in any capacity. He was so bad at decorum that he wasn’t even allowed to meet senators or any other political officials. The only people he seemed to tolerate were his general, Wolffe, Plo Koon, and Thello; even Bex got on his nerves sometimes.

The first person to make him flustered or nervous was Aletaa Keshri, a waitress at Lida’s Diner. He frequented the establishment with his general, though a few of his brothers went there as well. It was the most social place he went, considering he’d rather spend three days in a Senate meeting with Jar Jar Binks than go to 79’s (his words, on several occasions). You had been a long time customer before the war, so you often brought small groups of the boys there as a bonding experience.

The fourth or fifth time he went, you’d had some work you couldn’t avoid, so the two of you weren’t able to get to Lida’s until after dark. By then, the late shift had started. You led him inside and happily greeted the staff as he settled in a booth. A waitress approached with a bright smile, greeting his companion like an old friend.

“The great Jedi, come to grace my presence again! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

The mocking tone in her voice almost made Jammer defensive, but you laughed and smiled at the togrutan’s antics, so he settled in his seat.

“I’m here for the best service on Coruscant. My friend here hasn’t been here for a late meal yet.”

Your decision to call him a friend rather than your commander even though it was obvious enough that he was a clone made him almost smile. Then the waitress focused her smile on him and he swore his heart stopped.

“Well, I’m glad to offer you the ‘best service on Coruscant’ and my thanks for your patronage. I’m Aletaa by the way.”

He couldn’t come up with much of a response. All he could manage was a silent nod. You were fairly accustomed to his less than social behavior, so you easily shared Jammer’s name and carried the conversation until Aletaa left you with menus and went to tend to another table. As soon as she was out of ear shot, your eyes locked on your commander.

“Jam. What was that?”

“Hm?”

“That nod. I don’t know that nod, and I know pretty much everything about you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He dropped his eyes to the menu.

He hated that being so in tune with his emotions made it impossible for him to hide anything from you. It was rare that he wanted to, but he wished he at least had the option.

“You should talk to her. She’s nice.”

“Don’t.”

You let it go at first, leaning back in your seat. He knew you wouldn’t keep your mouth shut, but he just ignored you to focus on the menu. He could hardly actually comprehend what he was reading and when Aletaa came back he still had no idea what he wanted.

“Alright, friends. What can I get you?”

You quickly gave your usual order, then Aletaa turned to Jammer. He risked a glance up at her and all thoughts left his head.

“Jammer?”

“What… uh… what do you recommend?”

Aletaa smiled at his slow, uncertain words.

“Hm… I would go with the deep fried nuna legs. And belaria juice to drink with it.”

Jammer gave a light nod of approval and Aletaa was on her way to the kitchen. When he was able to look back to you, you had an excited smile on your face.

“Jammer!”

You whisper shouted his name and he knew he was ruined. He’d never get away from this.

“No.”

“Yes! Please talk to her; she’s so sweet and you’d be so cute together!”

You kept your voice low, but Jammer was dying inside. Why did this have to happen? You’d never leave him alone about this.

“Please stop. General, I’m not talking to her.”

“Why not?”

“Well for starters, I’m a clone. My life belongs to the GAR, to the Republic. I’m surly and rude and people don’t like me. And you saw me; I can’t even say one word to her. Need I go on?”

You frowned at him. He never liked when you did that, but he stood firm on this point.

“You don’t belong to the GAR, or at least you won’t forever. You know I won’t let that happen. Your being a clone changes nothing. You’re not surly or rude, you’re just a little rough around the edges. I’ll take some blame for that; I don’t make much of an effort to help you socialize.” You looked him in the eyes and reached for his hand to make sure he was listening. “Jammer. If you like her, then go for it. At least have a conversation with her. I know you’re nervous, but you can do this. If you can fight off an army of droids on a foreign planet, you can talk to my very relaxed friend.”

Jammer sighed. Your encouragement was helpful, but he definitely wasn’t ready to talk to her yet. Maybe next time. He told you as much, which you accepted. You both sat back and changed the subject. Your conversation paused when Aletaa returned with your food, which you both thanked her for. When Jammer actually managed a thank you, you gave him a proud smile. He just rolled his eyes and started eating.

Other customers came and went, but you and Jammer remained in peaceful conversation. As per your rule, neither of you brought up any military business, focusing instead on the antics of your boys or stories from the other battalions. You tried to stifle your laughter at his report of Wolffe’s frustration with some droids he’d been forced to work with and Plo Koon’s minimal sympathy for his commander. He allowed a wide smile to cross his face as you described your most recent meeting with your fellow Jedi, which devolved into petty squabbling between Obi-Wan and Anakin.

Before you knew it, you were both yawning and fighting to keep your eyes open. Aletaa had brought by some hot chocolate while you talked, then cleared the mugs away when you finished. When Jammer’s head nearly dropped onto the table, you finally decided it was time to call it a night. You went to the counter to pay the bill, then ushered Jammer out of the booth and headed for the door with his arm wrapped around yours.

“Goodnight, Aletaa. We’ll be back before leave is up.”

“Night, Y/N. Nice to meet you Jammer.”

“Pleasure, Alet.”

Jammer was sleepy and nervous, which was quite the combination for him. He didn’t even notice that he hadn’t managed Aletaa’s whole name, but you gave her an amused smile at the accidental nickname.

“I better get him back to the barracks. See you soon.”

You gave one last wave over your shoulder as you held the door open for your best friend. He stopped just outside to wait for you, then took shuffling steps to follow you to your speeder. It melted your heart when he was like this. You wished he had the freedom to relax more.

“I like Aletaa. She’s nice. Can we come back next time she works?”

His voice was soft and happy. He was definitely tired and needed to get to bed. You’d seen him like this only a handful of times in the year you’d been working with him, and you cherished each occasion.

“Of course we can, Jam. I’m sure she’ll be glad to see you. If you can actually talk to her.”

At his frown, you chuckled and nudged him onto the speeder. You clambered on in front of him and made him wrap his arms around you before you took off.

“I’ll talk to her. Promise.”

[the-and-sign-anon]

Black Cat

Pairing: Thello x reader

Word count: 1,933

Masterlist

A/N: This was my first time writing with my boys in a modern AU and I love it! I’d definitely like to have more requests like this!

Thello got along with most animals he met, but there was one notable exception. In his neighborhood, there was a scrawny black cat that didn’t seem to belong to anyone. No one could approach it without getting hissed at, even Thello. So he respected it and kept his distance. Things would have gone on as usual if not for the afternoon when he saw you with it.

He was friendly enough with all his neighbors, so he was somewhat familiar with you. But this was the first time you really caught his attention. In your worn overalls and black baseball cap, you waltzed right up to the cat on the sidewalk and offered it a small piece of food. It was surprising enough that the cat accepted it, but he was shocked to see you kneel down then and run your other hand over its back.

For what had to have been five minutes, Thello stood on his porch with a dumbstruck look on his face as you settled on the warm cement to socialize with the cat. You both looked happy, which he just wasn’t used to. He’d never seen that bright grin on your face before. And he’d certainly never seen the cat act friendly with anyone. When you glanced up toward him, he darted inside and leaned against the door.

“What were you doing?”

“Nothing…”

Jammer rolled his eyes and walked past, dismissing his little brother’s behavior. Being roommates with him had Jammer quickly becoming accustomed to his oddities, even more so than growing up together.

A week later, he saw you with the cat again. This time, you were walking from your car to the open gate to your backyard with a bag of soil. The whole week had been oddly good for Thello. He hadn’t hit a single red light to or from work each day, he’d found a twenty dollar bill in the pocket of his jeans, and Jammer had returned from a date with Aletaa, giving him an extra order of food they’d accidentally received.

When he saw you, the cat was trotting along a few steps behind. You were bobbing your head to some silent beat, and smiled when you saw him. He gave a nervous little wave and almost tripped over himself. Once he steadied himself and looked back up, you were just disappearing through the gate. And the cat was staring at him. He stared back, trying to see what the cat might want. The pitch black creature blinked at him, tilted its head slightly, then took off to follow you again.

Another weirdly pleasant week later, Jammer opened Thello’s door to let in the same black cat. It made a beeline for him where he sat at his desk, holding a black-eyed susan in its mouth.

“Why is the cat in here?”

“You tell me. It came scratching at the door and wouldn’t leave until I opened it. Then it came running in here. It’s your problem now.”

Jammer closed the door behind him on his way out. Jammer himself had never been very good with animals and this cat was no exception there. Thello turned his attention to the cat. Around its neck was a dark purple collar with a silver tag. There was no name on it, but there was an engraved phone number. When he got close enough, Thello reached out a hand and the cat dropped the flower into it.

“Whose flower is this, bud?”

The cat blinked at him again.

“Are you hungry?”

The cat tilted its head and Thello took it as a yes. He turned back to his desk, where he had a small bowl of sliced strawberries. He grabbed one and held it out to the cat. The cat lunged forward to grab the treat, swallowing quickly and letting out a soft little meow in appreciation.

“You like that? I’m glad. Unfortunately, you don’t live here. So while I’m very grateful for the flower, not sure how you got my favorite, I think I’ll have to send you on your way now.”

The cat meowed again and returned to the door. Thello wasn’t sure how the cat seemed quite so attuned to human communication, but the thought quickly drifted to the back of his mind.

The next afternoon, Jammer brought Crash and Flash over for lunch, along with Aletaa and Gen. Jammer, never one to pass up on giving his brother a hard time, mentioned the odd new friendship he’d struck up with the reclusive cat.

“I don’t know what it is. The thing keeps showing up with flowers or looking for treats. It’s never liked anyone in the neighborhood. It avoids everyone but him now.”

“That’s not true, it likes our neighbor just fine.”

“The old guy?”

Crash looked thoroughly confused.

“No, the one across the street.”

“Oh! The witch!”

Aletaa and Gen stared at Flash. He glanced between them and tried to defend himself.

“What? She looks like a witch!”

“She dressed like a witch last Halloween, Flash. Other than that, she looks like anyone else.”

Crash, never one to abandon his twin, jumped in as well.

“She grows a bunch of potion ingredients.”

“A garden. She’s growing a garden.”

“She always wears that black hat right?”

“And the cat! That could be her familiar.”

“Yeah! And you got on her good side, so the cat is there to help you or something.”

Aletaa moved to sit on the arm of Jammer’s chair and sighed at the boys.

“Okay, time to call it on today’s conversation for the insane. Lunch is almost ready. Go outside.”

The twins got up and followed Gen outside, helping with the utensils and plate of fruit. Thello gave Aletaa a grateful nod and made his way out the back door. Jammer slung an arm around him on the way.

“I just think it’s strange, Thel. The cat never liked anyone, but it seems pretty happy with you now.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Jammer. I think it’s strange too. I’ve had pretty good luck recently too.”

“Maybe you’ve just got good karma, Thel.” Aletaa ruffled his hair as she walked past his chair to grab the napkins. “You’re pretty much sunshine incarnate.”

As stupid as it was, Crash and Flash got to him a bit. Maybe he had actually done something to earn a sort of surly animal guardian. Or Aletaa was right and he just had good karma. Either way, Thello pushed it out of his mind. Until two weeks later, when the cat showed up again.

“Hey, kitty. What’s going on today?”

The cat pawed at his shoes, then jerked its head toward your house.

“What?”

The gesture was repeated, and Thello figured he had nothing else to do with his afternoon. He may as well see what the cat wanted at your house.

He gingerly picked up the cat, then made his way across the street and up your walkway, lined on both sides with black-eyed susans. Your door was open just enough for the cat to fit through. Thello waited on the porch while the cat went in and came back out a moment later with you in tow.

“Binx, sweetie, what do you-”

You looked up and stopped when you saw Thello. He felt awkward standing on your porch in his worn red flannel and jeans, with no idea of what to say.

“Oh. Hey, Thello.”

“Y/N. Your um… your cat…”

“Led you over here?”

You gave Binx a disapproving look once Thello nodded. Then you leaned down to eye level with the cat.

“Binx. You know better. What did you bring him here for?”

Binx meowed loudly. You nodded, then stood back up.

“I’m really sorry about that. Binx sort of runs things on his own. I’ve never had much control over what he does. I hope he wasn’t bothering you or anything.”

“No, it’s alright. He’s a sweetheart once he decides he likes you. He’s been stopping by my place most days for the last month.”

“Yeah. That sounds like him.”

Thello knew it was as good a time as any to turn around and go back home, but he didn’t really want to. Now that he was actually talking to you, he wanted to keep it up. You seemed to understand, so you moved back through your doorway.

“If you aren’t doing anything, I was just working on making cookies.”

Thello accepted the invitation and followed you to the kitchen. You had a simple home, with soft blue walls and photos of yourself with who he assumed were your siblings and parents. You looked happy in each one, dressed as usual in jeans or overalls and the same old black baseball cap.

“What are you making them for?”

“The neighborhood. When I was a kid, my dad loved making treats for our neighbors. Said it let him feel like the whole town was his family in some small way. I picked up the habit, and this is the first time I’ve had the chance to do it here.”

“That’s sweet. What kind are you making?”

“Homemade Oreos. My mom’s favorite.”

Thello spent the rest of the afternoon in your kitchen. Once he’d washed his hands, you put him to work pairing up cookies while you pulled more from the oven and made the frosting. After every pair was frosted and put in the fridge to set up, you settled on your counter with Binx at your feet. Thello leaned back against the opposite counter and fiddled with the buttons on his shirt while you talked.

“Thank you so much for your help, Thello. The cookies would have taken me hours to finish by myself.”

“You should probably thank Binx. I wouldn’t have been here to help out otherwise. You’ve got a very intuitive cat.”

“I wouldn’t praise him too highly. He’s got a big enough head as it is.”

Thello chuckled and smiled brightly as Binx pawed at your foot and meowed in response.

“I think he disagrees with you.”

“Yeah. He would.”

You sent Thello home that evening with a plate of cookies and the offer of company next time you were baking. When he told Jammer and Aletaa about it after, they shared a knowing look. He didn’t notice, or didn’t mention it. He went to bed shortly after, allowing Aletaa to talk about it with Jammer.

“He likes her!”

She whisper shouted, careful not to be heard by Thello.

“Obviously; how long do you think it’ll take him to realize it?”

“Well, it is Thello we’re talking about. It would probably take a blinking neon sign or a slap in the face. Maybe that cat can spell it out for him in flowers or something.”

“With the weird stuff he already does, I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened.”

“Well, either way, I think they’d be cute together.”

Jammer nodded in agreement as he walked Aletaa to her car.

“Maybe we should invite her over for lunch next week. I bet he’d love that.”

“If we do, you can’t warn him. If he got to see me run into a door when you kissed me on the cheek once, I get to see him trip down the stairs when he sees her in our living room. I deserve it.”

Aletaa laughed at her boyfriend. Jammer hated being embarrassed and while Thello didn’t tease him about incidents like that, he still wanted to get even. His intentions were genuine, though. You and Thello would make a pretty good couple. Binx obviously thought so too.

Baking Buddies

[the-and-sign-anon]

Adventures of the 357th

Masterlist

Writing

Animal Friends

Dealing With Pirates

Missions With A Senator

Dads And Uncles

Snow Day Shenanigans

Cuddle Pile

Self Care Night

The Rancor

Art

Boots

Aletaa

Edgar

Clones

Staley

[the-and-sign-anon]

Self Care Night

Characters: Jammer, Thello, Bex, Aletaa (mentioned)

Word count: 874

Collection Masterlist

Masterlist

Jammer had a habit of stressing himself out to the point of exhaustion. Growing up together, Thello knew this well. So when he got really bad, when he would fall asleep studying or put water in his cereal instead of milk, Thello would step in and help.

Midterms were coming up in Jammer’s first semester of college and it was another round of intense stress. Every night, he was up past midnight reviewing flashcards and marking important passages. Thello was still in high school himself, so he couldn’t stay up to get Jammer to bed unless it was the weekend. But there was one thing he could do, provided he was able to force Jammer into it.

On another quiet Friday night, Jammer was studying again. He could swear he was going cross eyed and a headache might have been forming. He’d long since locked Bex out of his room and Thello had been kind enough to leave him be thus far. Of course, as soon as he thought that, a knock sounded at his door.

“Is it important?”

“I wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t.”

He sighed and turned in his chair.

“Come in.”

Thello came through the door with his favorite fluffy blanket in one hand and Boots draped over his shoulder.

“What?”

“Come with me. We’re taking a break from studying.”

Jammer gave him a tired look as he shook his head.

“I’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

“I know. And I promise I’ll help you after. But tonight, you need a break so we’re going downstairs to watch movies and eat food.”

“I-”

“Don’t fight me on this, Jam. Power bars and water cereal doesn’t count.” Thello gave his brother a pleading look and Boots let out a sad little meow. “You would do this for me.”

Jammer groaned and closed his book. Thello always got his way in the end. He just couldn’t say no to the kid. Jammer turned off his light and closed his door behind him, then let Thello lead the way downstairs to the living room. Bex was in the kitchen as they passed, pulling a fresh pan of brownies from the oven. His brother had always had a knack for baking.

On the coffee table in front of the couch was an array of takeout containers, still hot and fresh. Thello sat down first and let Boots curl up on his feet. WHen Jammer sat beside him, he draped the blanket around his shoulders.

“Aletaa dropped off the food for us on her break. I offered to get it myself, but she insisted. Said it would be your first meal in a week, so she wanted to be the one to bring it.”

Jammer smiled softly at the thought of his girlfriend. She was always thoughtful like that. She would let him and his brothers stay late at the diner whenever they wanted and brought home extra food when she could. She was patient too, with all the studying he’d been doing.

Jammer leaned further into the blanket and took the container of chicken Thello offered him. He tucked his feet up under him and started eating while Bex joined them and started a movie. It was some animated movie the three had watched as kids, one that they could quote every line to, including the songs.

“I’ll bring brownies in when they cool off enough to serve.”

“Can’t we eat them warm?”

“If you want to burn your mouth, Thel, go right ahead.”

It was one of the only things Bex was responsible about, really. He would pick a fight if he could, or run around with a metal pole in a lightning storm, or try to pick up a racoon that definitely had rabies for fun. But when it came to food, he was careful. He wouldn’t let anyone eat until he was sure it wouldn’t burn their mouths or thoats. He’d make sure the kitchen was clean and take no risk of contamination.

“I can’t hear the movie.”

Bex snorted at the childish tone Jammer used, but quieted down anyway as he continued eating. Most of the night passed that way. When the first movie ended, Bex hopped up to start another. Thello got more blankets for all of them and Boots curled up in Jammer’s lap, effectively keeping him down. Before long, all thoughts of studying and worries about the upcoming tests faded away. For the night, all he had to focus on was being with his goofy little brothers.

When he drifted off to sleep during the third movie, Thello got up and put away their leftovers. Bex was asleep too, with his head resting on Jammer’s shoulder. Boots had shuffled around to lay across both of their laps and was letting out quiet snores. Once everything was cleaned up, Thello took a picture of his snoozing big brother and sent it to Aletaa to confirm he’d been successful in his mission. When she sent back a smiley face and a thumbs up, he curled up on the end of the couch and fell asleep as well. He couldn’t relieve all of his brother’s stress in college, but he’d given him one nice night at least.